Method and apparatus for instruction of stringed instrument bow stick angulation

ABSTRACT

An attitude sensor is secured to the bow of a stringed instrument and an indicator responsive to the sensor provides indication to a student of each of his departures from proper bow stick angulation during play.

United States Pafient [191 Kaplan 1 Apr. 10, 1973 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR [56] References Cited INSTRUCTION OF STRINGED UNI P INSTRUMENT BOW STIC TED STATE ATENTS ANGULATION 3,545,330 12/1970 Nosco ..84/283 [76] Inventor: Burton Kaplan, 817 W. End 1,343,595 6/1920 Tiffany ..84/469 Avenue New York 10025 Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkins [22] Filed; Nov. 23, 1971 Assistant Examiner.1ohn F. Gonzales 1 pp NO: 201,404 Attorney-Elmer R. Helfench et al.

I [57] ABSTRACT [g2 US. Cl. ..84/470, 84/283, 84/465 An attitude Sensor is Secured to the bow of a Stringed 1] lI-lt. C1. instrument d an indicator responsive to the Sensor [58] F' of Search g'i nf provides indication to a student of each of his departures from proper bow stick angulation during play.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSTRUCTION F STRINGED INSTRUMENT BOW STICK ANGULATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to music education and more particularly to methods and apparatus for instructing students in the art of playing stringed instruments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Violin teachers are in general agreement as to certain basic student-instrument interrelationships, e.g., the proper angulation of the bow stick during play. Thus, alltypically instruct that the bow stick be so disposed as to accommodate engagement of the instrument string being played by the entire breadth of the bow hair. While this condition can occur where the bow stick is not disposed directly above the bow hair, maximum efficiency in setting the string in vibratory motion is achieved when the bow stick is directly above the bow hair. In the case ofa handheld stringed instrument, the generally bowed portion of the strings, i.e., that between the finger-boardand bridge, is disposed substantially horizontally and, accordingly, the student should maintain his bow stick in position substantially verticall'y above the bow hair. While the student,

whether beginning or remedial, readily angulates the bow stick initially in such desired manner, he characteristically permits the bow stick to depart from such proper angulation during playing. By the term playing, I include private practice, concert, rehearsal or practice at a lesson. 7

Oral instructional efforts customarily undertaken to influence the student in the continuation of such proper angulation of the bow stick during his playing of the instrument are less effective than is desired, and are effective to such extent only during practice ata lesson. Whereas deficiencies i'n tonal reproduction may indicate improper bow stick angulation to the skilled artist, such deficiencies do not so inform the beginning student and, accordingly, are not a source of corrective influence. 4

Violin instructional devices inthe nature of harnesses effective to constrain a student to desired positions as shown, e.g., in US. Pats. No. 1,906,584 and No. 2,240,696, are not seenas providing any such cor- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION l-have observed that the attention of the stringed instrument student is diluted by the variables he is required to control to such an extent that the attention he in fact directs to any particular variable, e'.g., bow stick angulation, is inadequate. He thus does not generate requisite self-corrective influence. Accordingly, I have concluded that instructional method and apparatus likely, to provideimproved corrective influence must have the effect of focusing the attention of the student on distinct variables and develop in him an independent sense of guidance. Such method and apparatus are the primary objects of the invention.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide instructional method and apparatus for use in private practice independently of an instructor.

A further object of the invention is to provide instructional apparatus which interferes minimally with the freedom of movement of the student.

In the attainment of the foregoing and other objects, the invention provides apparatus, including attitudesensitive signal generating means secured to the bow, effective on predetermined deviation from proper bow stick angulation to direct the students attention to his manner of angulating the bow stick. In accordance with the method of the invention, such apparatus is provided and secured to the how.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description thereof and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a violin bow equipped in accordance with the invention.

FIG.'2 is a side elevational view of the arrangement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit suitable for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate further embodiments of apparatus for'use in practicing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS bow, preferably to screw 16 after rotation thereof for proper adjustment of hair tension.

Referring to FIG. 2, sensor 18 may comprise a mercury switch 22 having a mercury globule 24 adapted, 4

'on predetermined bow stick angulation, to provide electrical continuity between a pair of normally-operi' contact members. As illustrated, the switch may in-' clude a single pair of contacts arranged at either side of the stick and connected to insulated conductors 26 and 28. In this connection, I have observed that the typical student tends to improperly angulate his bow stick in a consistent unilateral manner, i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise of the desired angulation relative to the bow hair. As discussed below in respect of FIGS. 4 and 5, correction of improper angulation habits not involving such unilateral consistency are also within the purview of the invention.

Conductors 26 and 28 extend to a housing, preferably supported by the frog, but alternately supported by the instrument or by the students body. In the latter instances, the conductors are of sufficient length to permit free movement by the student. Referring to FIG. 3, conductor 26 is connected to a contact member 30 resiliently supported in such housing and connected to the armature 32 of electromagnetic coil 34. One terminal of the coil is connected by line 36 to a second contact member 38 fixedly supported in the housing in position engaging contact member 30 when coil 34 is unenergized. The remaining terminal of coil 34 is connected by line 40 to one terminal of a battery 42 and the remaining battery terminal is connected to conductor 28. The circuit of FIG. 3 will be recognized as a conventional buzzer type annunciator in association with switch 22. In operation thereof, when the contacts of switch 22 are bridged by globule 24, coil 34 is energized bybattery 42 and thereupon displaces armature 32 such that contact member 30 is removed from contact member 38 with consequent deenergization of the coil. As the contact members are thereupon re-en gaged, the coil is re-energized. This activity is'cyclic throughout periods of closure of switch 22 and gives rise to desirable sustained audible output. Where desired, a switch 44 may be introduced in the circuit of FIG. 3, so as to provide for the disabling of the buzzer at the option of the student or teacher. The housing may incorporate an actuator for such switch 44 conveniently disposed exteriorly of the housing. By this arrangement, the accessory apparatus may be maintained fixed to the bow and may be readily silenced during periods of verbal instruction or of transporting the violin.

In use of a conventional mercury switch as shown in FIG. 2, a switch of insufficient length may provide an erroneous indication of improper angulation attributable in fact to splashing of the mercury globule. Thus, care should be exercised in selecting a switch of sufficient length to-accommodate the splashing of the mercury globule attending violent bow movements while proper bow stick angulation exists.

Clip 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is comprised of upper and lower portions, respectively embracing screw 16 and sensor 18, which are fixed relative to one another. In securing the accessory apparatus to, e.g., frog 12, the clip selected may be of such structure as to permit positional adjustment as between its portions embracing the frog and the sensor such that the sensor may be disposed in proper bow stick angulation sensing position.

In FIG. 4, switch 22a incorporating mercury globule 24a, comprises a central portion terminating in end portions, each inclined upwardly from the central portion. A pair of contacts is disposed in each end portion with conductors 26a, 28a and 26b, 28b respectively connected thereto. This switch may be secured by clip to screw 16 as in the case of the accessory apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2. As contrasted with the accessory apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, the FIG. 4 apparatus is bilateral in its operating capability, i.e., is adapted to sense both clockwise and counterclockwise improper angulation of the bow stick. Furthermore, by reason of its upwardly extending switch end portions, the FIG. 4 apparatus may accommodate a range of proper bow stick angulation. Thus, indication of improper angulation is not provided by the FIG. 4 apparatus until the bow stick is effectively rotated clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the bow hair by a number of degrees of angulation corresponding to the relative angulation between the switch end portions and central portion. Dual FIG. 3 circuits are preferable in such instance, each providing a unique audible indication. As will now be evident, the unilateral sensing apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 may readily incorporate a single end portion where desired to provide for a preselected proper range of bow stick angulation in unilateral fashion. Alternatively, switch 22 of FIG. 2 may itself be offset, e.g., by counterclockwise rotation from its illustrated position, to define such range.

The FIG. 4 apparatus may be interconnected with the FIG. 3 annunciator by connecting conductors 26a and 26b to contact member 30 and by connecting conductors 28a and 28b to the negative terminal of battery 42.

In FIG. 5, a conductive ball 46 is pendulously supported by support member 48 intermediate conductive members 50 and 52 which are secured to conductive support element 54 by connections 56. These connections are such as to permit conductive members 50 and 52 to be variably tilted as indicated by the arrows. Ball 46 is connected to conductor 26c and support element 54 is connected to conductor 28c. Alternatively, element 54 may be comprised of insulative material in which case conductor 28c is connected to both of conductive members 50 and 52.

The apparatus of FIG. 5 will be seen to comprise a pendulous switch arrangement wherein electrical conductivity is provided between conductors 26c and 28c upon engagement between ball 46 and either of conductive members 50 or 52. Where support member 48 is secured ultimately to the bow stick, the FIG. 5 apparatus will provide indication of bow stick angulation. As in the case of the FIG. 4 apparatus, the FIG. 5 apparatus may accommodate a preselected proper bow stick angulation range by appropriate tilting of conductive members 50 and 52.

The methods of the invention, whereby the attention priorities of the student are conformed to the interests of the teacher, involve the steps of providing the accessory apparatus and equipping the bow therewith. Preferably, the method is practiced by providing the apparatusfdetermining the proper angulation of the bow stick for a given student and equipping the bow.

with the accessory apparatus in such manner as to insure that an indication is provided to the student on each occurrence of his positioning of the bow stick in improper angulation. Evidently, a limited range of proper bow stick angulation exists and may vary somewhat from teacher to teacher. The tilt-sensitive switch means of the accessory apparatus may be readily selected to provide for inactivity of the apparatus in such range and clip 20 readily accommodates the adjustment of the orientation of the tilt-sensitive switch element relative to the bow stick into an initial position within such range.

In instructing students in bowing the violincello and like instruments in accordance with the invention, the accessory apparatus of the invention is secured to the bow in a manner somewhat different than that described above for the violin and like instruments. Thus, the violincello is generally supported by the students knees in position inclined to the vertical and the strings are thereby vertically inclined. By reason of body position in relation to such instrument, for maximum efficiency in setting the strings in vibratory motion, the bow stick is disposed vertically upwardly of the bow hair. The accessory apparatus of the invention is affixed to the bow such that the student is apprised of deviations in bow stick angulation from such proper angulation.

In the use of the apparatus and method of the inven tion, it has been observed that the average student is instructed as respects his proper angulation of the bow stick in relatively short order and thereafter plays without energizing the accessory apparatus, despite that the same is active and prepared to provide indications of deviation from proper bow stick angulation. It has been observed further that on the removal of the accessory apparatus after limited use thereof, the student exhibits a mature habit of consistently angulating the bow stick properly, evidence of his development of an independent sense of guidance.

While the apparatus and method of the invention have been described by way of particularly preferred embodiments thereof and in connection with a particularly desired angulation of the apparatus, numerous changes in the described apparatus or positioning thereof will be readily evident to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, the tilt-sensitive switch element may comprise gravity-responsive switches other than those illustrated.

Likewise, the electromechanical buzzer described above may be substituted for by a host of indicators, e.g., piezoelectric annunciators, etc. Furthermore, when producing pianissimo sounds, contact of less than all bow hairs and the string can be desired. In this instance, the apparatus of the invention can be varied in position so as to provide indication of departure of the bow stick from the angulation involved in producing pianissimo sounds. The embodiment particularly disclosed is thus intended in a descriptive and not in a limiting sense. The true spirit and scope of the invention is defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a stringed instrument bow, first means for indicating predetermined angulation of the stick of said bow relative to the hair of said bow during engagement of the bow hair and a string of said instrument, said first means comprising:

a. a voltage source;

b. attitude-sensitive switch means; and

c. indicator means connected to said voltage source by said switch means; and second means for securing said switch means to said bow, said switch means being rendered conductive on occurrence of said predetermined angulation of said bow stick, said voltage source thereupon energizingv said indicator means to indicate said predetermined bow stick angulation.

2. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said second means includes first and second joined receptacles respectively receiving said switch means and said bow stick.

3. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a mercury switch.

4. The invention claimed in claim 3 wherein said switch includes a single pair of contact elements jointly disposed on one side of said bow.

5. The invention claimed in claim 3 wherein said switch includes first and second airs of contact elements, the contact elements of said first pair being jointly disposed on one side of said bow, the contact elements of said second pair being jointly disposed on the side of said bow opposite said one side.

6. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a first conductive member supported for pendulous movement relative to said bow and a second conductive member supported in position for engagement thereof by said ball on said occurrence of predetermined angulation of said bow stick.

7. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises an electromechanical buzzer.

8. A method for teaching a student to maintain the bow stick of a stringed instrument in proper angulation relative to the instrument strings during the playing of the instrument including the step of equipping the bow of the instrument with first apparatus providing an output signal upon each occurrence of his angulation of the bow stick in an angulation to said strings having a predetermined relation to said proper angulation and equipping the body of the student with second apparatus operatively responsive to each said first apparatus output signal to provide to the student an indication of each such occurrence.

9. The method claimed in claim 8 wherein said apparatus provides an audible indication on each said occurrence.

10. A method for teaching a student to maintain proper angulation of the bow stick of a stringed instrument during the playing of the instrument including the steps of:

a. determining a range of proper angulation of the bow stick for the student;

b. providing a voltage source, indicator means and attitude-sensitive switch means connected to said source and to said switch means by detecting bow stick angulation having predetermined relation to said proper angulation range and thereupon connecting said indicator means to said voltage source; and

c. securing at least said switch means to said bow. 

1. In combination, a stringed instrument bow, first means for indicating predetermined angulation of the stick of said bow relative to the hair of said bow during engagement of the bow hair and a string of said instrument, said first means comprising: a. a voltage source; b. attitude-sensitive switch means; and c. indicator means connected to said voltage source by said switch means; and second means for securing said switch means to said bow, said switch means being rendered conductive on occurrence of said predetermined angulation of said bow stick, said voltage source thereupon energizing said indicator means to indicate said predetermined bow stick angulation.
 2. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said second means includes first and second joined receptacles respectively receiving said switch means and said bow stick.
 3. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a mercury switch.
 4. The invention claimed in claim 3 wherein said switch includes a single pair of contact elements jointly disposed on one side of said bow.
 5. The invention claimed in claim 3 wherein said switch includes first and second pairs of contact elements, the contact elements of said first pair being jointly disposed on one side of said bow, the contact elements of said second pair being jointly disposed on the side of said bow opposite said one side.
 6. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a first conductive member supported for pendulous movement relative to said bow and a second conductive member supported in position for engagement thereof by said ball on said occurrence of predetermined angulation of said bow stick.
 7. The invention claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises an electromechanical buzzer.
 8. A method for teaching a student to maintain the bow stick of a stringed instrument in proper angulation relative to the instrument strings during the playing of the instrument including the step of equipping the bow of the instrument with first apparatus providing an output signal upon each occurrence of his angulation of the bow stick in an angulation to said strings having a predetermined relation to said proper angulation and equipping the body of the student with second apparatus operatively responsive to each said first apparatus output signal to provide to the student an indication of each such occurrence.
 9. The method claimed in claim 8 wherein said apparatus provides an audible indication on each said occurrence.
 10. A method for teaching a student to maintain proper angulation of the bow stick of a stringed instrument during the playing of the instrument including the steps of: a. determining a range of proper angulation of the bow stick for the student; b. providing a voltage source, indicator means and attitude-sensitive switch means connected to said source and to said switch means by detecting bow stick angulation having predetermined relation to said proper angulation range and thereupon connecting said indicator means to said voltage source; and c. securing at least said switch means to said bow. 